The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan.

The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-Am, Diwan-E-Khaas, Musamman Burj - where Shahjahan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir's Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.

Open : Sunrise to sunset.

About the Fort

The construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565 when the initial structures were built by Akbar. Shah Jahan replaced most of these with his marble creations. Some however survived, among them are - Delhi Gate., Amar Singh Gate, Akbari Mahal and the Jehangir Mahal. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 km, and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. Wide and 10 mt. Deep moat surrounds the outer wall. An imposing 22 mt. High inner wall imparts a feeling of invincible defensive construction. The route through the Amar Singh Gate is dog-legged. The layout of the fort was determined by the course of the river, which in those days flowed alongside. The main axis is parallel to the river and the walls bridge out towards the city.

Gateways

The fort had originally four gates, two of which were later walled up. Delhi gate in the west is fortified by massive octagonal towers and faces the bazaar and leads to the Jama Masjid in the city. Its architectural plan was imperviously devised to put the defenders in an advantageous position. Delhi gate is now closed for visitors.

The Amar Singh Gate lies to the South and is defended by a square bastion flanked by round towers. It had a crooked entrance with dangerous trap points and a steep rise. Its Naubat Khana Court with pillared pavilions is an impressive structure. Visitors are allowed entry through this gate only.

Buildings inside the fort

Jehangir Mahal

This is the first notable building that the visitor sees on his right hand side at the end of a spacious lawn, as one enters through the Amar Singh Gate and emerges out of the passage. It was built by Akbar as women's quarters and is the only building that survives among his original palace buildings. It is built of stone and is simply decorated on the exterior. The most important feature of the edifice are its ornamental stone brackets which support the beams. In front is a large stone bowl which we probably used to contain fragrant rose water. Ornamental Persian verses have been carved along the outer rim, which record its construction by Jehangir in 1611 AD.

Jodha Bai's Palace

To the right of Jehangir Mahal is Akbar's favourite queen Jodha Bai's Palace. In contrast to other palaces ,it is rather simple. Through the slits in the wall one can see the Taj.

Anguri Bagh

These formal, 85 m square, geometric gardens lie to the left of the fort. During Shah Jahan's time the beauty of the gardens was considerably enhanced by decorative flower beds.

Golden Pavilions

The curved chala roofs of the small pavilions made by the Khaas Mahal are blessed on the roof shape of Bengali village huts constructed out of curved bamboo, designed to keep of heavy rains. The shape was first expressed in stone by the Sultans of bengal. Originally gilded, these were probably ladies' bedrooms with hiding places for jewelry in the walls. These pavilions are traditionally associated with Shah Jahan's daughters - Roshara and Jahanara Begum.

Khaas Mahal

Situated in between the golden pavilions is the Khaas Mahal. Built entirely of marble by Shah Jahan, the palace demonstrates distinctive Islamic-Persian features. These are well blended with a striking range of Hindu features such as chhatries. It is considered to be emperor's sleeping room or 'Aramgah'. The Khaas Mahal provides the most successful example of painting on a white marble surface.

Musamman Burj

On the left of the Khaas Mahal id the Musamman Burj built by Shah Jahan. It is a beautiful octagonal tower with an open pavilion. With its openness, elevation and the benefit of cool evening breezes blowing in off the Yamuna River, this could well have been used also as the emperor's bedroom. This is where Shah Jahan lay on his death bed, gazing at the Taj. Access to this tower is through a magnificently decorated and intimate apartment with the scalloped fountain in the centre. The inlay work here is exquisite, especially above the pillars. In front of the fountain is a sunken courtyard which could be flooded and in the Sheesh Mahal opposite are further examples of decorative water engineering in the hammams.

Sheesh Mahal

Opposite to the Musamman Burj and just below the Diwan-I-Khaas hall is the Sheesh Mahal or the Glass Palace. It is believed to have been the harem dressing room and its walls are inlaid with tiny mirrors which are the best specimens of the glass-mosaic decoration in ndia. The Sheesh Mahal is composed of two large halls of equal size, each measuring 11.15m X 6.40m. Both are connected in the centre by a broad arched opening and on the sides by two narrow passages.

Diwan-i-Khaas

To the right of Sheesh Mahal is Diwan-I-Khaas, the hall of Private Audience. Presently entry is not allowed inside Diwan-I-Khaas but the fine proportions of the building can easily be appreciated. The marble pillars are inlaid with semi-precious stones in delightful floral patterns.

Hammam-i-Shahi

The right of Diwan-I-Khaas is the Mammam-I-shahi or the Shah Burj. Foreign travelers who visited Agra during the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan have described these apartments as the Ghasal Khana (bathroom). It was not the Turkish bathroom as is generally but erroneously supposed. It was really an "air-conditioned"apartment, attached to the residential quarters and was used as a summer retreat. Business of very confidential nature was conducted here.

Macchhi Bhawan

Opposite to the Diwan-I-Khaas is the Macchhi Bhawan, the Fish Enclosure. The emperor sat on the white marble platform facing this enclosure. It once contained pools and marble fountains which were carried off by Jat Raja Surajmal to his palace at Deeg. Around the Macchhi Bawan were the imperial offices.

Diwan-i-Am

In front of the Macchhi Bhawan is Diwan-I-Am. One can approach it by going down an internal staircase. The clever positioning of the pillars gives the visitor, arriving through the gates in the right and left hand walls of the courtyard, an uninterrupted view of the throne. On the back wall of the pavilion are jali screens to enable the women of the court to watch without being seen. The throne alcove is of richly decorated white marble. It used to house the peacock Throne. When Shah Jahan moved his capital to Delhi, it was taken to the Red Fort.

Nagina Masjid

From the corner opposite the Diwan-i-khaas two doorways lead to a view over the small courtyards of the zenana. Further round in the next corner is the Nagina Masjid. Shoes must be removed at the doorway. Built by Shah Jahan, this was the private mosque of the ladies of the court. Beneath it was Mina Bazaar for the ladies to make purchases from the marble balcony above.

Moti Masjid

Just above the Sheesh Mahal apartments is situated the Mina Masjid (Pearl Mosque), the most prettiest structure at Agra Fort. The building is presently closed for visitors.

Mina Masjid